DeepL is cutting about 250 roles, and its chief executive says the shift in how many people work takes is because of AI

DeepL, the German AI translation company, announced on 7 May 2026 that it is "reducing DeepL's overall headcount by approximately 250 roles, subject to local legal processes". Chief executive Jarek Kutylowski published his letter to staff, and it does not hedge on the cause: "We are currently living through a massive structural shift in what work exists, who does it, and how many people it takes to do it well, and that shift is because of AI." He describes what replaces the old structure: AI "allowing smaller groups - sometimes even an individual - to do work that once required entire teams", and a company "moving to smaller high-agency teams where AI handles the routine". The letter also says the change frees money for new bets, including a San Francisco office. DeepL built one of the tools most often blamed for the disappearance of translation work elsewhere. This is the same company saying the technology has now changed how many people it needs itself.